Year 9

Key Dates

Yr 9 Exams

The Yr 9 exam block kicks off in Term 4 Week 4. Examination notifications may start to be released prior to the end of term. The holiday period is a fantastic opportunity to ensure study notes are up-to-date, ready for examinations in Term 4. Wanting to know how to help your child study? A really good analogy is that studying is like playing a sport. If you want to learn a sport you have to first learn the rules of the sport, then you have to practise the skills of the sport. It is the same with study, students have to learn the content then practise the skills of the subject. Students should:

• Spend time learning and memorising the information by writing study notes then testing themselves on their study notes in a way that suits their learning style.
• Do lots and lots of practice. Find as many questions as possible and try them. They should then mark their answers then spend time reviewing the areas they are having difficulty with.
• Talk to other students to see what they do to study for their subjects.

The Study Skills Handbook (UN: redlands | PW: 68results) has useful resources on Active Studying and Preparing for Exam Blocks (starting with the summary sheets is always useful). The Redlands Study Centre is also a useful resource (the timetable can be found on Redlands Pulse).

Spirit Week 

This week was Yr 12 Spirit Week –  Yr 12’s opportunity to celebrate their final weeks of school with the school community. Throughout the week, Yr 12 hosted a student led assembly, a House dodgeball competition, sports competitions, performing arts events and a House mufti day on Wednesday. Congratulations to Cowper for winning the Yr 9 Dodgeball competition. Thank you, Yr 12 – we send our warmest wishes as you prepare for your final examinations and life beyond school. 

Inappropriate Content Online

A message from Brett Lee, Co-founder of InternetSafeEducation.com

Inappropriate content can readily and unpredictably reach young people through many different platforms. We need to remain active and vigilant in monitoring what young people are exposed to in their online world, which is very much their real world. 

Inappropriate content can reach students on any platform, including but not limited to websites, social media sites or video content sharing sites. Common sites used by children include: Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok, Youtube and Youtube for Kids. 

What to do now and in the future as a preventative measure?

Parents and carers need to be especially vigilant. Firstly, we recommend having a clear family tech agreement and staying up-to-date with current online trends. There is no way of knowing what online platform algorithms will serve up – it’s up to you to moderate.

Secondly, if you do come across any inappropriate content, report and flag immediately. Advice is to report to the platform (eg. TikToK) and to the eSafety Commission. Advice can be found at How to report illegal harmful content? 

Thirdly, consider using monitoring software to manage time online, apps being accessed and to also filter inappropriate websites.

Finally, and most importantly, make sure to talk to the children in your care about the things they are doing online. Communication is by far the best defence against these modern trends of inappropriate content sharing. Create an environment of openness about technology and discuss it regularly.

Remember:

• Don’t panic
• Report to social media platform
• Report to eSafety
• Talk to your child
• You have a right to manage technology which includes temporarily removing access
  

eSafety Webinars for Parents & Children

Join one of the eSafety webinars for parents and carers, at no cost. These live webinars explore the latest research and they are a great way to learn how you can help your child develop the skills to be safer online. All sessions are delivered by eSafety expert educators. Key topics include 

• My House, My Rules
• A parent guide to popular apps
• Tech, teens and time online
• Parent guide to online gaming

Ms Marita Jansons 
Yr 9 Advisor
mjansons@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9968 9819